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Cell Biochemistry Martinsried |
G.Valet, M.Sieracki1)
- Seawater microplankton represents an essential worldwide water ecosystem.
It maintains the metabolic balance e.g. by assimilating CO2 from
the atmosphere and is part of the food chain for larger animals in the
oceans. The study of microplankton organisms is of increasing importance
to obtain knowledge on the influence of increased atmospheric
CO2 levels as well as of higher UV irradiation levels caused
by the rarefication of the ozon layer.
- Microplankton is composed of a mixture of many
different types of microscopic organisms. Flow cytometric measurements of
forward (FCS) and sideward (SSC) light scatter of these cells in
combination with natural fluorescence (chlorophyll,
phycobiliproteins) result in a complex pattern of overlapping cell
populations.
- Characteristic differences of microplankton populations around Georges
Bank (Cape Cod) are detected by
standardized
and automated list mode data classification with the
CLASSIF1
multiparameter classification program (Ann.NY Acad.Sci.677,233-251(1993).
This permits the distinction of
individual sample collection positions along a cruise as well
as the discrimination of typical microplankton patterns
at the sweet/salt water transition area inside Georges Bank, on
the bank itself and on its ocean directed side.
- No prior knowledge on the microplankton cell populations is required
for this analysis i.e. it is applicable for the characterization
as well as for the standardized detection of changes in
unknown microplankton populations like for the investigation of
influences of increased UV-irradiation or CO2 levels as well
as altered water quality.
L1.
Sieracki M., G.Valet, T.Cucci:
Report on advanced workshop on fluorescent probes for marine flow cytometry:
Use of fluorescent probes in the study of phytoplankton physiology and
cellular biochemistry. Signal and Noise 6:1-2,(1993)
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